Suitcase



Patented Aug. 1'7, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SUITCASE Max Smith, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application January 21, 1953, Serial No. 332,417

1 Claim. A1

My invention relates to valises, suitcases, bags and the like.

Heretofore, suitcases and valises of the type for holding wearing apparel and related articles have been made with a wire welt.

It has been found that the edges of a suitcase are subjected to a great deal of buffeting and that when a sharp object is struck there is great danger that the welt may be cut. In other words, if the edge of the suitcase is cut then the suitcase is damaged and it is very difficult to have a neat bag.

Therefore, it is an object of my invention to provide welt edges which are resilient.

It is another object of my invention to provide a welt which serves as a buffer, which resists permanent distorting strains, and which keeps the suitcase in shape.

Another object of my invention is to expedite the manufacturing of suitcases of leather or other semi-rigid material and also to provide a very neat appearing suitcase.

By my invention I sew a heavy rod which is covered with rubber in order to provide resiliency and I sew this to each side of the suitcase. Then the side of the suitcase forms the covering for the rod to form a welt and then the end of the suitcase is sewn adjacent the welt. In other Words, the number of pieces which are used are reduced so that the suitcase primarily consists of a top and side as one piece, two separate end pieces and a bottom piece, and these serve as one half the casing. There is a second casing so that the suitcase primarily comprises eight pieces; two side and top integral portions, four end pieces, and two bottom pieces.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved device of the character described that is easily and economically produced, which is sturdy in construction and which is highly effective in use.

With the above and related objects in view, my invention consists in the following details of construction and combination of parts, as will be more fully understood from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a suitcase or valise manufactured according to my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken showing the rod support about to be placed adjacent the side piece.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional View of the Welt rod adjacent the side portion of the backing.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the welt rod.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, in Fig. 1, I show a perspective view of a suitcase, valise or a bag, made of two similar halves, generally designated as AI and A2, and embodying my invention.

The main body portion of the bag is formed to serve as a side IA and an integrally formed top IB.

A backing I2 of heavy cardboard or leather is suitably attached to the body portion IIIA and IB by an adhesive. However, the edge of the backing I 2 is sufficiently spaced in from the body portion edge I6 so that a welt rod, generally designated as B, may be covered by the body portion ISA and IIB.

The welt rod B comprises a metal rod I8 covered by a rubber coating or sheathing 20. The welt rod B is placed adjacent the end edges of the backing I2 that are adjacent to the end pieces 2li of the suitcase and then the body portion encircles the welt rod B so that the Welt rod B is held against the end edges of the backing, see Figs. 2 and 3.

An end piece 24 is bent along the line 24A so that a portion 24B overlaps the end of the body portion IIIA and IDB and an end portion of the backing I2, see Fig. 4.

Two parallel rows of stitches 26, 28 securely hold the portion 24B of the end 24 to the side IDA and the top IUB with the bead 30 protruding along the marginal edge and top of the suitcase.

The main sides and the ends and bottom are made of leather or fabricoid material simulating leather, and are laid out in a nat position for the rst operation. Both main side portions, the ends and the bottoms, of course, are cut to the proper configuration.

The welt or reinforcing edge B with its rubber cover 2li provides a cushion in the event the leather is struck a blow, so that no indentation or cut will remain in the leather. It should be noted that the welt or reinforcing means has a bead framed by the bending so that the edge of the suitcase has the bead projecting outside and away from both the end, the top, and the side of the suitcase. The bead is rubber protected so that no sharp blow will indent the bead and its reinforcing means and because of the cushion effect it will not be crushed.,

As the drawing is viewed it will be seen that the marginal edge and welt form a projecting flange. The customary hinges, handle and locks used on the bag are of the conventional type and enable the bottom to swing with its complementary member which completes the: casing.

It is apparent that the quality of the product is greatly increased and that a better casing is produced by following the hereinbefore set forth method.

Although my invention has been described in considerable detail, such description is intended as illustrative rather than limiting since the invention may be variously embodied and the scope of the invention is to be determined as claimed.

I claim as my invention:

A suitcase comprising a heavy backing to form the sides and the top of said suitcase, a body portion covering said backing and attached thereto by adhesive', a rubber covered rod forming a welt for the edges of said sides and top of said suitcase, said rubber covered rod abutting the edges of said backing and covered by said body portion, and a plurality of rows oi stitches holding said covering to said body adjacent said Welt whereby said rubber covered Welt will provide resilience to the edges of said suitcase.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 669,685 Dora Mar. 12, 1901 1,464,643 Burchess Aug. 14, 1923 2,471,612 Freeman May 31, 1949 

